Table lighter



9 E. I. KLEIN 2,995,915

TABLE LIGHTER Filed Oct. 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2a JNVENTOR. 13 27DWA LKLEIN ATTORNEYS Aug. 15, 1961 E. I. KLEIN TABLE LIGHTER 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. EDWARD [KLEIN A T TORNE YJ United States Patent2,995,915 TABLE LIGHTER Edward I. Klein, 45 Maiden Lane, Jericho, N.Y.Filed Oct. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 848,959 11 Claims. (Cl. 674.1)

This invention relates, in general, to cigarette or cigar lighters andpertains, more particularly, to a device of this nature intended to beconstructed in ornamental form.

Table lighters are normally provided with some sort of ornamental formor base and frequently incorporate triggering mechanisms which are ofthe quick-release type. That is to say, frequently ornamental tablelighters are actuated by some means other than the conventional thumbwheel which is a common expedient with pocket lighters. Some means isusually employed which remotely actuates the flint wheel and thismechanism frequently is relatively complicated and expensive tomanufacture. It is, therefore, of primary concern in connection with thepresent invention to provide a novel and improved construction for atable lighter in which the component parts of the lighter mechanism, andparticularly the actuating mechanism therefor, are arranged in a novelmanner which makes the mechanism relatively simple and economical tomanufacture.

Another object of this invention is to provide improvements inornamental table lighters in which the ornamental portion of the lighteror frame is provided with an integral unit which is complete in and ofitself and which constitutes the actuating mechanism for the device.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of alighter mechanism employing a mounting element upon which all of thecomponent parts of the actuating mechanism are mounted and are relatedto effect the remote operation and actuation of a flint wheel for thepurpose of producing a spark in the vicinity of a wick wetted by lighterfluid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel table lighterconstruction employing a mounting strap having integral parts andportions thereof deformed or bent relative to the main body portionthereof to provide mounting means for certain component parts of themechanism as well as guides and cam actuating means therefor and whichstrap also forms a mount for a trigger mechanism pivotally attachedthereto and depending therefrom, by means of which the mechanism may beactuated.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of anovel lighter mechanism incorporating a base plate or strap upon whichall of the component parts of the mechanism are mounted and whichcomponent parts include various levers and links operatively mounted onand associated with the base plate or strap and wherein the mechanismalso includes a flint wheel having an associated pawl and ratchetmechanism and a flint carrier for holding the flint against the wheel toproduce the necessary spark for operation of the lighter.

Still another object of this invention resides in the use of a mountingplate or strap which is provided with an upstanding end portion whichforms a means by which a flint carrying mechanism is attached thereto ingenerally horizontally extending attitude and with there being a flintwheel mounted on the strap adjacent such upstanding end for cooperationwith the flint carrier and with the mounting member or strap furthercarrying a trigger mechanism and associated levers and links forspinning the flint wheel in response to actuation of the triggermechanism.

Another object of this invention is to provide a mechanism in accordancewith the preceding object wherein the opposite end of the mounting strapis also provided with an upstanding portion which is provided with slotsor apertures, one of which provides a guide for a rack member which isengageable with the flint wheel assembly to spin the same and another ofwhich is cooperable with a rack actuating and release mechanism andguides the same and cooperates therewith to produce a camming actionthereon for releasing the rack in proper relationship so as to effectthe spinning of the flint wheel.

A further object of this invention is to provide a mechanism inaccordance with the preceding object wherein the mounting strap issecured to a base of ornamental character and which carries a hollowpost through which a wick is extended, one side of the post beingnotched to form a guide for the forward end of the rack closely adjacentto the flint wheel.

As this invention may be embodied in several forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the presentembodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, and since thescope of the invention is defined by the appended claims, all changesthat fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form theirfunctional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents are thereforeintended to be embraced by those claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view showing an ornamental table lighterconstructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assemblage shown in FIG. 1, withportions of the lighter being broken away to show the internal workingparts thereof and their relative positioning with respect to each other;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating theinternal components of the lighter mechanism and showing the componentsin the normal or at rest position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the working components inposition during the actuation of the lighter but just prior tocompletion of the actuation;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the release mechanism just after thecompletion of the actuation cycle;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially along theplane of section line 5-5 in FIG. 2 and showing details of the flintwheel and its associated ratchet mechanism and illustrating relativepositioning of the component parts;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the actuating mechanism removedfrom the lighter;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged transverse section taken substantially along theplane of section line 88 in FIG. 7 and illustrating further details ofthe construction of the component parts; and

FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical section taken substantially along theplane of section line 9-9 in FIG. 7, showing further details of theconstruction of the component parts of the actuating mechanism.

Referring at this time more particularly to FIG. 1, the referencenumeral 10 designates, in general, a table lighter which, in theparticular instance shown, is made generally in the form of a flint lockpistol, as will be clearly evident. The lighter includes a hand gripportion 11 which is connected directly to the main body portion 12having a trigger guard 13 and the forward portion of the pistol includesa depending portion 14 which, in actuality is a reservoir for containinga quantity of lighter fluid, as more fully described hereinafter. Thelighter also includes a hammer 15 and has a portion 16 simulating thepowder pan of a flint lock pistol which is normally covered by thehinged cover member 17.

At the fore portion of the lighter, there is provided a stand 18 which,as can be seen from FIG. 1, serves to sup- 3 port the forward end of thelighter while the butt end of the handle 11 forms, with the stand, acomplete support for the lighter.

The intermediate or receiver portion 20 of the lighter is hollow, beingdefined between the opposite side walls 21 and 22 of the lighter, seeparticularly FIG. 2, and bounded at the bottom by the bottom wall 23,see particularly FIG. 3, and being normally covered by a plate whichcarries the aforementioned hammer 15 and which plate extends along overthe top of the handle 11 in the recessed portion 24. This cover plate,which is not shown, is provided with suitable apertures adjacent theopposite ends thereof, one of which receives a wood screw which may bescrewed into the handle 11 which is preferably made of wood. An apertureis provided at the opposite end of the cover plate and a screw member isengaged therethrough and into the threaded upper end of a post 25, thepurpose of which will be presently apparent.

The bottom wall 23 has a projection 26, see particularly FIG. 3, whichextends rearwardly therefrom in accordance with the profile of the handgrip member 11 and is secured at its terminal end portion 27 thereto asby means of a wood screw 28 or the like.

The forward portion of the handle 11 is notched as indicated by thereference character 29, see particularly FIGS. 2 and 3, leaving oppositeside portions 30 and 31 projecting forwardly therefrom. The reason forthis notching is to provide clearance for the actuating mecha nism whichis indicated generally by the reference character 32 and whose operationwill become presently apparent.

The frame for the lighter includes the aforementioned side walls 21 and22 and the bottom wall 23 integral therewith, together with the triggerguard 13 which is integral with the bottom wall and the extension 26likewise is integral with the frame. The forward portion of the framebeyond the bottom wall 23 and the trigger guard is formed of arcuateintegral extensions 33 and 34 of the side walls 21 and 22 respectivelyand which extensions form the outer sides of the aforementioned pan 16.The forward ends of these extensions 33 and 34 are joined together by aforwardly projecting nose piece 35 which terminates at its forward endin the depending flange portion 36 whose outer face is stepped as shownmost clearly in FIG. 3 and as indicated by the reference character 37and receives the upper end of the stand 18, a suitable screw 38 beingprovided for securing the stand to this nose piece. Also integral withthe nose piece is a pair of upstanding cars 39 and 40. All of theaforementioned elements and components are integrally formed preferablyin a single casting or are otherwise rigidly joined together to form anintegral and complete unit which constitutes the main frame for theornamental table lighter.

The previously mentioned cover 17 is provided with a pair of forwardlyextending hinge noses 41 and 42 notched as at 43, see particularly FIG.3, on their undersides receiving the upper ends of the ears 39 and 40and a pivot pin 44 projects through the ears and the noses to pivotallymount the cover upon the frame for the lighter and allow it to movebetween its normal position, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, to apivoted position such as is shown in FIG. 4. A further notch 50 isprovided in the cover member 17, see particularly FIG. 6, which receivesthe forward end 51 of a cover actuating lever hereinafter more fullydescribed and is pivotally attached thereto by means of a hinge pin 52threaded as at 53 for securement to the cover member and for the purposeof securing pivotal attachment between the cover member and the leverportion 51.

The reservoir 14, see particularly FIG. 3, is engaged against theundersurface of the nose piece 35 and is rigidly aflixed thereto as bymeans of the screw member 55. The rearward portion of the top wall 56 ofthe reservoir carries a hollow post 57 through which the wick 58 extendsand by means of which the fluid contained within the sparking mechanismof the lighter. As is conventional, the interior of the reservoir 14 isfilled with a supply of absorbent material, such as cotton, as indicatedby the reference character 59.

The actuating mechanism 32 is provided with a mounting base in the formof an elongate strap 60 having a forward portion bent upwardly asindicated by the reference character 61, see particularly FIG. 7, whichthen extends for a short distance in the horizontal portion 62 andterminates at the forward end in the upstanding flange portion 63. Theintermediate portion of the strap is provided with an opening formedbetween two downturned ear portions 64 and 65, see particularly FIG. 8.Extending upwardly through this opening in the strap is the trigger 66having an intermediate enlarged boss portion 67 provided with atransverse bore aligned with openings in the ears 64 and 65 andreceiving therethrough the trigger pivot pin 68. The rearward end of thestrap 60 is provided with an upturned flange portion 69 which is formedon one side thereof, see particularly FIG. 9, and the other side isformed witht a narrow extension 70 which is slightly angulated upwardlyfrom the main body portion of the strap and terminates in the hook endportion 71.

The upper end of the trigger 66 has an extension which is apertured atits upper extremity and receives therethrough a transverse pivot pin 76which has an enlarged head on one side of the extension and whichprojects laterally outwardly therefrom on the other side. This pivot pinis provided with an enlarged head portion 77 to hold it in place and onits laterally outwardly projecting end portion receives the end portions78 and 79 of two different lever elements.

Interposed between these two lever end portions 78 and 79 is a torsionspring 80 having opposite end portions 81 and 82 extending therefrom andengaged with the respective levers 83 and 84. The lever 83 is that leverwhich includes the end portion 51 and is attached to the cover 17 andprojects forwardly from the trigger 66, whereas the lever 84 is thatwhich has its end portion 78 engaged with the pivot pin 76 and extendsrearwardly from the trigger and passes through a notch 85 formed in thetop edge 86 of the upstanding flange portion 69 of the strap 60.

The spring 80 is hooked over the lever 83 as at 87 and its opposite endportion 81 is engaged over the lateral end 88 on the lever 84. The neteffect of the spring 80 and its connection to the levers 83 and 84 is totend to urge these levers both downwardly at their free ends, or inother words, counterclockwise as regards the lever 84 and clockwise asregards the lever 83 as viewed in FIG. 7.

A rack bar 90 is positioned so as to extend through an opening in theupstanding flange 69 previously mentioned and to extend rearwardlytherefrom to a point just short of the lateral tang 91 formed on therear end of the lever 84, see particularly FIG. 2. On the forward sideof the flange 69, the rack bar is of greater width than it is on therearward side thereof so as to form a stop shoulder engaging with theforward face of the upstanding flange 69 and thus limit the rearwardmovement of the rack bar. The rack bar itself is provided with anaperture intermediate its ends and forwardly of the flange 69 throughwhich one end portion of a tension spring 101 is engaged, the oppositeend 102 of this spring being hooked through an aperture 103 in theflange 69 and serving normally to urge the stop shoulder 104 previouslydescribed into engagement with the forward face of the flange 69. Thestop shoulder 104 can be viewed in FIG. 4.

The release lever 84 is downturned in its rearward end portion 105 andthe lower edge 106 thereof forms a cam surface cooperable with the notch85 in the flange 69. As the trigger is pulled in the normal manner, asis shown in FIG. 4, the extension 75 thereof will move the release lever84 forwardly and will also move the cover lever 83 forwardly. The tang91 on the release lever, being reservoir is conveyed to a point closelyadjacent to the 75 engaged with the rearward end of the rack bar, movesthis rack bar forwardly also against the action of the spring 101 untilsuch time as the cam edge 106 has moved to a position substantially asshown in FIG. so as to raise the tang 91 out of engagement with the rackbar 90 and to thus cause its release and permit the spring 101 torapidly return it to its normal position of rest wherein the shoulders104 are engaged with the forward face of the upstanding flange 69.

The forward end of the rack bar on the inner edge thereof is providedwith teeth 110 which are engageable with a gear 111 which forms part ofthe spark making mechanism. The gear is rotatably mounted on a verticalpivot pin 112 and mounted immediately above the gear is a pawl spring113 having one downturned end portion 114 securing engagement with thegear and having an angulated opposite end portion 115 engageable withthe ratchet teeth 116 formed in the undersurface of the flint wheel 117.The flint wheel 117, the pawl member 113 and the gear 111 are ofentirely conventional construction. The pivot pin 112 is received at itslower end in the portion 62 of the strap 60 and at its upper end in therearward extension 118 of a flint receiving barrel 120. The barrel 120is rigidly afiixed to the upstanding flange portion 63 of the strap 60and has a reduced forward end portion 121 extending therebeyond. Thebarrel 120 and, of course, its extension 121 are provided with alongitudinal bore through which the flint is projected under the actionof a suitable spring for engagement with the flint wheel 117. Anadjusting screw 122, see particularly FIG. 4, is threadedly engaged inthe extension 121 and may be adjusted to decrease or increase thetension of the spring urging the flint against the flint wheel.

The previously mentioned post 57 which carries the wick 58 is notched onone side, see particularly FIG. 6, as indicated by the referencecharacter 130, this notch guiding and receiving the forward end portionof the rack bar 90 and serving to maintain the teeth 110 in mesh withthe gear 111.

A further spring 131 is provided in the actuating mechanism having itsopposite ends respectively connected to the upstanding portion 71 at therear of the strap 60 and to a portion of the lever 83. The spring 131serves the purpose of returning the cover rapidly to its initialposition, that is its closed position, at the end of the cycle ofoperations of the device. The lever 83, of course, serves to slowly openthe cover 17 as the trigger is pulled and when the release lever 84 hasbeen disengaged from the rack bar 90, the trigger can then be releasedand the spring 131 will return not only the cover 17 but also the twolevers on the trigger 66 to their normal or at rest positions. As therack bar is moved forwardly, during the initial operation, the gear 111will be rotated but since the direction of rotation is such as to causelost motion of the ratchet mechanism, the flint wheel 117 will not move.However, as soon as the release lever has been disengaged from the rackbar, the rack bar under the action of the spring 101, will rapidlyreturn to its initial position and will spin the gear 111 in theopposite direction and will, consequently, through the pawl and ratchetmechanism spin the flint wheel 117 which produces a spark igniting thefluid contained within the exposed upper end 140 of wick 58.

Thus, it will be evident that the actuating mechanism forms a separateand distinct entity complete in and of itself, which is mounted withinthe receiver portion of the lighter. The previously mentioned post 25,as can be seen better in FIG. 4, has a reduced lower end portion 141which is threaded and which serves, in part, to fasten the actuatingmechanism, and more particularly, the strap 60 thereof to the frame. Afurther screw 142 is also projected through the strap and these twoscrew members together form the means by which the actuating mechanismis rigidly aflixed within the lighter frame. The reservoir member isseparate as is the actuating mechanism and these two components togetherwith the frame form the principal operating parts of the lighterassemblage.

I claim:

1. An actuating mechanism for lighters comprising an elongate mountingbase having a flint wheel and associated ratchet mechanism mounted onone end thereof, the opposite end of said mounting base having anupstanding portion, said upstanding portion having a notch formed in itsupper edge and an aperture therethrough below the slot, an elongate rackbar having one end reciprocably received in said aperture in theupstanding portion and being guided thereby and having its opposite endprovided with rack teeth engaged with said ratchet mechanism wherebyreciprocation of said rack bar will effect operation of said flintwheel, guide means engaging said opposite end of said rack bar forguiding the rack teeth into operative relationship with the ratchetmechanism, spring means normally urging said rack bar in a directiontoward the opposite end of said mounting base, an actuating lever havingan intermediate portion received in said notch in the upstanding portionof the mounting base and being guided thereby, said actuating leverhaving a downturned end portion beyond said upstanding portionpresenting a lower edge portion thereof eflecting a cam surface andterminating at such end in a laterally extending ear engageable with oneend of said rack bar, means for effect ing forward movement of saidactuating lever toward said flint wheel to correspondingly urge saidrack bar forwardly until said cam surface lifts said actuating lever outof engagement with the rack bar for return movement under the action ofsaid spring means.

2. In a table lighter having a frame and including a reservoir providedwith an upstanding hollow post for receiving a wick therethrough, amounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portion overlyingsaid reservoir to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting means and said ratchet mechanism, and linkmeans including a portion extending through said notch and guidedthereby for moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position.

3. In a table lighter having a frame and including a reservoir providedwith an upstanding hollow post for receiving a wick therethrough, amounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portion overlju'ngsaid reservoir to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting base and said ratchet mechanism, link meansfor moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position, said link means including a portionguided by said notch in the upstanding portion of said mounting base andhaving an arcuate undersurface effecting the camming action to releasesaid rack bar.

4. In a table Lighter having a frame and including a reservoir providedwith an upstanding hollow post for receiving a wick therethrough, amounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portion overlyingsaid reservoir to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting base and said ratchet mechanism, and linkmeans including a portion extending through said notch and guidedthereby for moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position, said one end of the mounting basehaving an upstanding portion beyond said flint wheel and ratchetmechanism, and a flint carrier fixed to said last mentioned upstandingportion of the mounting base and including means for biasing a flintinto engagement with said flint wheel.

5. In a table lighter having a frame and including a reservoir providedwith an upstanding hollow post for receiving a wick therethrough, amounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portion overlyingsaid reservoir to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting means and said ratchet mechanism, link meansfor moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position, said link means including a portionguided by said notch in the upstanding portion of said mounting base andhaving an arcuate undersurface effecting the camming action to releasesaid rack bar, said one end of the mounting base having an upstandingportion beyond said flint wheel and ratchet mechanism, and a flintcarrier fixed to said last mentioned upstanding portion of the mountingbase and including means for biasing a flint into engagement with saidflint wheel.

6. An ornamental lighter comprising a frame of ornamental configurationand including a bottom wall and opposite side walls, a mounting basefixed to said bottom wall and being enclosed by said side walls, a flintwheel and associated ratchet mechanism fixed to one end of said mountingbase, a fuel reservoir fixed to the underside of said frame andincluding an upstanding hollow post for receiving a wick therethroughand being disposed to one side of but closely adjacent to said flintwheel, a rack bar extending along said mounting base and having teeth atone end engaging said ratchet mechanism, spring means normally urgingsaid rack bar to an axial extreme position, link means for moving saidrack bar in opposition to said spring means and including cam releasemechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar for return movementthereof under the action of said spring means, the end of said mountingbase opposite said one end thereof upon which the flint wheel is mountedhaving an upstanding portion including an aperture therein, one end ofsaid rack bar being guidably received within said aperture in saidupstanding portion, said link means including an elongate link having anintermediate portion received in a notch in the top edge of saidupstanding portion and being guided thereby and having one enddownwardly arcuated to define along its lower edge a cam surfacecooperable with the notch to effect the camming action aforementioned,and such link terminating in a laterally directed end portion engageablewith a corresponding end of said rack bar.

7. In a table lighter having a frame, a reservoir and an upstandinghollow post for receiving a wick therethrough being supported by saidframe, a mounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portiondisposed adjacent to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being pro vided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting means and said ratchet mechanism, and linkmeans including a portion extending through said notch and guidedthereby for moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position.

8. In a table lighter having a frame, a reservoir and an upstandinghollow post for receiving a wick therethrough being supported by saidframe, a mounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portiondisposed adjacent to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting base and said ratchet mechanism, link meansfor moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position, said link means including a portionguided by said notch in the upstanding portion of said mounting base andhaving an arcuate undersurface effecting the camming action to releasesaid rack bar.

9. In a table lighter having a frame, a reservoir and an upstandinghollow post for receiving a wick therethrough being supported by saidframe, a mounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portiondisposed adjacent to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at its opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting base and said ratchet mechanism, and linkmeans including a portion extending through said notch and guidedthereby for moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position, said one end of the mounting basehaving an upstanding portion beyond said flint wheel and ratchetmechanism, and a flint carrier fixed to said last mentioned upstandingportion of the mounting base and including means for biasing a flintinto engagement with said flint wheel.

10. In a table lighter having a frame, a reservoir and an upstandinghollow post for receiving a wick therethrough being supported by saidframe, a mounting base fixed to said frame and having one end portiondisposed adjacent to one side of said post, a flint wheel and ratchetmechanism fixed to said mounting base adjacent said post, said mountingbase having an upstanding portion at it opposite end, said upstandingportion being provided with an aperture therethrough and a notch at itsupper end, a rack bar having one end slidably received in said apertureand having its opposite end provided with teeth on one side thereofengaging said ratchet mechanism and said post having a notch facing saidratchet mechanism and receiving the opposite side of said rack bar,spring means normally urging said rack bar to one extreme positionrelative to said mounting means and said ratchet mechanism, link meansfor moving said rack bar towards its other extreme position andincluding cam mechanism for suddenly releasing said rack bar as itreaches its other extreme position, said link means including a portionguided by said notch in the upstanding portion of said mounting base andhaving an arcuate undersurface effecting the camming action to releasesaid rack bar, said one end of the mounting base having an upstandingportion beyond said flint wheel and ratchet mechanism, and a flintcarrier fixed to said last-mentioned upstanding portion of the mountingbase and including means for biasing a flint into engagement with saidflint wheel.

11. An ornamental lighter comprising a frame of ornamental configurationand including a bottom wall and opposite side walls, a mounting basefixed to said bottom wall and being enclosed by said side walls, a flintwheel and associated ratchet mechanism fixed to one end of said mountingbase, a fuel reservoir and an upstanding hollow post for receiving awick therethrough being supported by said frame, said post beingdisposed to one side of but closely adjacent to said flint wheel, a rackbar extending along said mounting base and having teeth at one endengaging said ratchet mechanism, spring means normally urging said rackbar to an axial extreme position, link means for moving said rack bar inopposition to said spring means and including cam release mechanism forsuddenly releasing said rack bar for return movement thereof under theaction of said spring means, the end of said mounting base opposite saidone end thereof upon which the flint wheel is mounted having anupstanding portion including an aperture therein, said upstandingportion having a notch formed in the top edge thereof, one end of saidrack bar being guidably received within said aperture in said upstandingportion, said link means including an elongate link having anintermediate portion received in said notch and being guided thereby andhaving one end downwardly arcuated to define along its lower edge a camsurface cooperable with the notch to effect the camming actionaforementioned, and such link terminating in a laterally directed endportion engageable with a corresponding end of said rack bar.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,289,113 Florman July 7, 1942 2,912,841 Racek et al Nov. 17, 1959FOREIGN PATENTS 507,854 France July 7, 1920 747,997 Germany Oct. 23,1944

